JBL Charge 4: A Powerhouse Speaker In A Small Frame

JBL knows how to deliver the goods when it comes to portable Bluetooth speakers.

- Tim Gideon

The previous iteration of the Charge was a hit, and the JBL Charge 4 is not dropping the baton. The waterproof speaker outputs huge sound for its size—it’s small enough to be thrown in a tote. The bass depth here is also impressive, thanks mostly to dual passive radiators that add richness and thump. The only two bummers are the lack of a speakerphone function and that the speaker is mono (this is forgivable, though, since the size would prevent true stereo separation anyway). The JBL Charge 4, like its predecessor, wins our Editors’ Choice award.

DESIGN

The cylindrical 3.7-by-8.6-by-3.7-inch (HWD), 2.1-pound Charge 4 is available in a multitude of colors—10 in all, including mustard yellow and teal, as well as more standard black or red models. The speaker has an IPX7 rating, meaning it has an unspecified level of dust-ingress protection and is fully waterproof. In fact, the Charge 4 can be submerged to a depth of up to 1 meter for about 30 minutes, making it an ideal poolside companion or simply a great splash-proof, rainproof option.